Cone apparatus

ABSTRACT

The invention is a cone for use with, for example, a torsion spring in a counterbalancing mechanism of a door. The cone body has a frusto-conical exterior surface. A first plurality of spaced partially circular ridges are provided on the exterior surface. Each of the ridges has first and second ends adjacent the surface and a central portion spaced above the surface. A second plurality of spaced partially circular ridges are alternately disposed between respective ones of said first plurality of ridges. The second plurality of ridges have first and second ends adjacent the surface and central portions spaced above the surface at locations opposed to the central portions of the first plurality of ridges. The cone threadably receives either right-or left-hand wound springs.

United States Patent [191 Kalister Dec. 18, 1973 Assignees: NapoleonSpring Works, Inc.,

Archbold; Kalco, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio part interest to each Filed: Feb.20, 1973 Appl. No.: 334,091

Inventor:

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Pence Curdwell 267/33Primary Examiner-James B. Marbert Attorney-Carl F Schaffer et al.

[57] ABSTRACT The invention is a cone for use with, for example, atorsion spring in a counterbalancing mechanism of a door. The cone bodyhas a frusto-conical exterior surface. A first plurality of spacedpartially circular ridges are provided', on the exterior surface. Eachof the ridges has first and second ends adjacent the surface and acentral portion spaced above the surface. A second plurality of spacedpartially circular ridges are alternately disposed between respectiveones of said first plurality of ridges. The second plurality of ridgeshave first and second ends adjacent the surface and central portionsspaced above the surface at locations opposed to the central portions ofthe first plurality of ridges. The cone threadably receives eitherright-0r left-hand wound springs.

8 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures leg PATENTEUUEE 18 I913 3.719 537 sum 1 nr'2 PATENIEUBEI: 18 ms 3779537 SHEET 2 OF 2 CONE APPARATUS BACKGROUND OFTHE INVENTION Counterbalancing mechanism for doors, particularlyoverhead doors, are numerous and well known in the art. Many of thesedoors utilize a torsion rod or bar which extends horizontally above thedoor. Pulleys are positioned on the outer ends of the torsion bar andreceive force members, for example cables which are operatively attachedto the lower side portions of the door.

Torsion springs often surround the torsion bar and as the door is movedto the lower or closed position, the springs are loaded. As the door isopened, the spring force acting through the cable serves as acounterbalancing force which aids the operator in overcoming the forcegenerated by the weight of the door.

Often, two torsion springs of relatively short length are positioned atopposite ends of the door. One of the torsion springs is a left-handwound spring while'the other spring is a right-hand wound spring. Byhaving the springs wound in an opposite direction, there is a reductionin the tendency of the door to cant as it moves to its upward or openposition.

One of the prior art devices whichserved as end connectors for thetorsion springs were cones having a frustoconical surface. Either aright-hand or a left-hand thread was cut or formed on the exteriorsurface. If two torsion springs of opposite winding were utilized on agiven door installation, as mentioned above, it was necessary to supplya set of four cones, two having righthand threads and two havingleft-hand threads as part of the installation. These prior art setsoften consisted of two winding cones, one having a right-hand thread andone having aleft-hand thread and two stationary cones, one having aright-hand thread and one having a left-hand thread. The prior artwinding cones were utilized to pre-tension the spring and then werelocked in place by, for example, a'set screw. The prior art stationarycones were essentially end connectors that were, for example,operatively connected to the door frame or a separate structural member.

This type of prior art construction resulted in many problems for boththe'manufacturer and the door installer. It was often necessary to keepa largeinventory of cones having the proper threading.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to cones for usewith torsion springs. Cones according to the present invention may beused with either a right-hand wound or a left-hand wound torsion spring.

The cone body has a frusto-conical exterior surface.

A first plurality of spaced partially circular ridges are provided onthe exterior surface of the cone=The peak of the ridges would be thecrest under screw thread terminology while the bottom of the valleybetween the ridges would be the root under screw thread terminology. Inthe following description, the ridges are at some times termed threadseven though they are not continuous and under normal helical screwthread terminol- The ridges have first and second ends adjacent thesurface of the cone and a central portion spaced above the surface.Therefore,-the crestof an individual ridge starts at a point adjacentthe surface, elevates to the central portion and returns to the surface.

A second plurality of spaced, partially circular ridges are alternatelydisposed between respective ones of the first plurality of ridges. Thesecond plurality of ridges also have first and second ends adjacent theexterior surface and central portions spaced above the surface. Thecentral portions of the second plurality of ridges are in an opposedrelationship to the central portions of the first plurality of ridges.In a normal situation, the central portions of the respective pluralityof ridges would be 180apart.

The cone threadably receives either rightor lefthand wound springs andeliminates the inventory problems which have been present in the art fornumerous years.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a plan view of a coneaccording to the present invention; I

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the cone shown in FIG. 1, having afragmentary sectional torsion spring shown on the cone;

FIG.'3 is a bottom view of a cone according to the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along the line 44 ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of another embodiment of a coneaccording to the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of still another embodiment of a cone according tothe present invention;

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of the cone shown in FIG. 6, having afragmentary sectional torsion spring shown on the cone; and

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the lin 8-8 of FIG. 6.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to FIGS. 1-4, a coneaccording to the present invention is generally indicated by thereference number 10. The cone 10 includes a base 11 and an integral body12 extending from the base 11. The body 12 has a fru'sto-conical shapewith its largest diameter next to the base 11. The frusto-conical body12 includes an exterior surface 13 and in the present embodiment aninnercup-shaped recess 14. The cone 10 of the present embodiment is awinding coneand includes an opening 15 which is coaxial with thecup-shaped recess 14. The

, opening 15 receives, for example, a torsion rod or bar which alsoextends through the cup-shaped recess 14. A plurality of tubular sockets16 extend radially outwardly from locations adjacent the opening 15 andreceive a tool, indicated by dashed lines in FIGS. l-3, by the referencenumber 17. The tool 17 is used to pretension the springs.

Threaded openings 19 extend through the base 11 and communicate with thebase opening 15. The threaded openings 19 receive set screws 20, whichsecure the cone 10 after pretensioning.

Referring to FIG. 2, a first plurality of spaced, partially circularridges 22a, 22b, 220, etc., are provided on the exterior surface 13 ofthe cone 10. Each of the ridges 22 has a first end 23 adjacent theexterior surface 13, a central portion 24 which is spaced above thesurface 13 and a second end 25 (see FIG. 1) which is adjacent thesurface 13. In other words, the crest of each of the ridges 22 is at aminimum at the first end 23, rises at an even rate to a: maximum at thecentral portion 24 and returns at an even rate to a minimum at thesecond end 25.

A second plurality of spaced, partially circular ridges 27a, 27b, 270,etc., are also defined on the exterior surface. The second plurality ofpartially circular ridges 27 are alternately disposed between respectiveones of the first plurality of ridges 22. Each of the second pluralityof ridges 27 has a first end 28 adjacent the exterior surface, a centralportion 29 spaced above the exterior surface and a second end 30 whichis again adjacent to the exterior surface. The central portions 29 ofthe second plurality of partially circular ridges 27 are in an opposedrelationship to the central portions 24 of the first plurality ofpartially circular ridges 22. In the present embodiment, the centralportions 24 and 29 are 186 removed from one another. I

Also, in the present embodiment, each of the first and second pluralityof ridges 22, 27 lie in planes which are perpendicular to thelongitudinal axis of the body 12.

In the present embodiment, the ridges 22a, 22b, 220, etc., are equallyspaced 0.333 inches from one another while the distance betweenalternative ones of the ridges 22 and the ridges 27 are equally spaced0.167 inches from one another. These dimensions which correspond to thelead or pitch of a screw thread are determined by the diameter of thewire which the cone receives.

from the position shown in FIG. 2, the inner relationship of the firstplurality of ridges 22 and the second plurality of ridges 27 is shown.As the right-hand wound spring 31 is received by the cone 10, theindividual spring coils are received by alternative pairs of theindividual ridges 22 and 27. Because the ridges 22 and 27 arediscontinuous circular ridges as opposed to helical screw threads, asthe spring 31 is forced upon the cone 10 the spring 31 passes to thenext alternative pairs of ridges 22 and 27 at the locations where theends 23-24 and 28-30 disappear or are adjacent the exterior elevation orexterior surface 13 of the body 12.

Because the construction of the cone 10 is symmetrical, it forms anapparent threaded surface in either a clockwise or counterclockwisedirection. Therefore, the cone construction, according to'the presentinvention, provides either a right-hand thread" or a lefthand threadsuitable for receiving either left-hand wound springs or right-handwound springs.

Another embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. 5. The cone10a includes a base 11a and a frustoconical body 120. The body 12aincludes an exterior surface 13a and an inner cup-shaped recess 14a.

The cone 100 includes an opening 15a which is coaxial with the recess14a. A plurality of tubular sockets 16a extend radially outwardly.

A first plurality of spaced partially circular ridges 33a, 33b, 330,etc., are provided on the exterior surface 13a of the cone 10a. Each ofthe ridges 33 has ends 34 adjacent the exterior surface 13a and acentral portion 35 which is spaced above the surface 13a.

It is noted that in this embodiment, while each of the ridges 33a, 33b,330, etc., is parallel to one another they lie in planes which are notperpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the body 12a.

A second plurality of spaced, partially circular ridges 36a, 36b, 36c,etc., are also defined on the exterior surface 13a. Each of the ridges36 has ends 37 adjacent the exterior surface 13a and a central portion38 which is spaced above the surface 13a.

The second plurality of partially circular ridges 36 are alternatelydisposed between respective ones of the first plurality of ridges 22.The second plurality of ridges lie in planes which are not perpendicularto the longitudinal axis of the body 120. Also, in this embodiment, theridges 22 lie in planes which are angularly disposed to the planes inwhich the ridges 36 lie.

It has been found that the pluralities of ridges 33 and 36 providethreads which are suitable for receiving either right-hand or left-handwound springs.

Still another embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 6-8.A cone is generally indicated in these figures by the reference number40. The cone 40 is normally classified as a stationary cone. While twotypes of cones have been shown in the drawings, other types of cones arepossible. For example, a stationary cone may be constructed havingdouble bodies (not shown). In this structure, two truncated bodiesextend in opposite directions from a single base. Other embodiments (notshown) can have different base constructions.

The cone 40 includes a base 41 and an integral frustoconical body 42.The base 41 has opposed wings 43 and 44 which define mounting openings45 and 46. Screws or bolts may be inserted through the mounting openings45 and 46 to secure the cone 40 to a supporting structure.

. The frusto-conical body 42 includes an exterior frusto-conical surface47 and an internal cup-shaped recess 48. A coaxial opening 49 isprovided in the base 41.

As was true in the first embodiment, the exterior surface 47 has a firstplurality of partially circular ridges S2. The first plurality of ridges52 includes first and sec ond end portions terminating adjacent theexterior surface 47 and an elevated central portion.

A second plurality of partially circular ridges 57 are alternatelydisposed with the first plurality of ridges S2. The second plurality ofpartially circular ridges 57 includes first and second ends adjacent theexterior surface 47 and a central portion which is oppositely disposedfrom the central portion of the first plurality of circular ridges 52.In this embodiment, the interrelationship of the two pluralities ofridges 52 and 57 are similar to the relationship of the first and secondplurality of ridges 22 and 27 described above with respect to the firstembodiment.

Again, because the circular ridges are noncontinuous, the cone '40provides apparent leftand right-hand threads which are suitable forreceiving either righthand or left-hand wound springs.

It has been found that the cones constructed according to the presentinvention solve many of the inventory problem of prior art cones.

What I claim is:

l. A cone for use with a spring comprising, in combination, a base, anintegral body extending from said base, said body having afrusto-conical shape with its largest diameter next to said base, saidbody having an exterior surface, a first plurality of spaced partiallycircular ridges on said exterior surface, each of said ridges having afirst end adjacent such surface, a central portion spaced above saidsurface and a second end adjacent said surface, a second plurality ofspaced partially circular ridges on said exterior surface alternatelydisposed between respective ones of said first plurality of ridges, saidsecond plurality of ridges having first and second ends adjacent suchexterior surface and central portions spaced above said surface atlocations on said surfaces which are opposed to the location of suchcentral portions of said first plurality of ridges, whereby said conethreadably receives either right-or left-hand wound springs.

2. A cone according to claim 1, including attaching means on said base.

3. A cone according to claim 1, including winding means on said base.

4. A cone according to claim 1, wherein said first and second pluralityof ridges are equally spaced from one another.

5. A cone according to claim 1, wherein the individual ones of saidfirst and second plurality of ridges lie in planes perpendicular to thelongitudinal axis of said body.

6. A cone according to claim 1, wherein the first and second ends ofeach of the pluralities of ridges is at an elevation adjacent saidexterior surface and wherein the elevation of said ridge rises at aneven rate to a maximum at the mid-point of said central portion.

7. A cone according to claim 1, wherein the individual ones of saidfirst and second plurality of ridges lie in planes which are notperpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said body.

8. A cone according to claim 1, wherein said first plurality of ridgesis angularly disposed with respect to said second plurality of ridges.

1. A cone for use with a spring comprising, in combination, a base, anintegral body extending from said base, said body having afrusto-conical shape with its largest diameter next to said base, saidbody having an exterior surface, a first plurality of spaced partiallycircular ridges on said exterior surface, each of said ridges having afirst end adjacent such surface, a central portion spaced above saidsurface and a second end adjacent said surface, a second plurality ofspaced partially circular ridges on said exterior surface alternatelydisposed between respective ones of said first plurality of ridges, saidsecond plurality of ridges having first and second ends adjacent suchexterior surface and central portions spaced above said surface atlocations on said surfaces which are opposed to the location of suchcentral portions of said first plurality of ridges, whereby said conethreadably receives either right-or left-hand wound springs.
 2. A coneaccording to claim 1, including attaching means on said base.
 3. A coneaccording to claim 1, including winding means on said base.
 4. A coneaccording to claim 1, wherein said first and second plurality of ridgesare equally spaced from one another.
 5. A cone according to claim 1,wherein the individual ones of said first and second plurality of ridgeslie in planes perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said body.
 6. Acone according to claim 1, wherein the first and second ends of each ofthe pluralities of ridges is at an elevation adjacent said exteriorsurface and wherein the elevation of said ridge rises at an even rate toa maximum at the mid-point of said central portion.
 7. A cone accordingto claim 1, wherein the iNdividual ones of said first and secondplurality of ridges lie in planes which are not perpendicular to thelongitudinal axis of said body.
 8. A cone according to claim 1, whereinsaid first plurality of ridges is angularly disposed with respect tosaid second plurality of ridges.